IKEA pulls the plug on incandescents

Susan DeFreitas EarthTechling, 14th January 2011

The global retailer recently announced that as of this month, IKEA US stores will no longer carry traditional bulbs.

This move comes in anticipation of federal legislation coming into effect that will effectively phase out all incandescent light bulbs between 2012 and 2014, in favor of more efficient alternatives such as halogens, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LEDs.

IKEA first announced it would be phasing out incandescents back in June, and now has ceased sales. It is the first major retailer to do so.

A recent phone survey conducted by IKEA suggests that it won’t be alienating too many of its customers with this move, as nearly two-thirds of those surveyed (59%) have already changed the majority of light bulbs in their homes to energy saving lights.

Meanwhile, more than two-thirds (67%) said they cared about using energy saving lights, and more than half (56%) reported being ready to switch to energy saving lights.